Best Crossbow Enchantments Minecraft: The Ultimate Long-Range Weapon Guide

For a long time, the bow was the primary long-range weapon in Minecraft, with combat revolving around swords and bows. The introduction of the crossbow in the 1.14 update changed everything. It trades reload speed for higher damage, greater range, and better accuracy—perfect for 2025's Minecraft 1.21+ (Tricky Trials and beyond). The crossbow is already powerful, but the best crossbow enchantments in Minecraft make it unstoppable!

1. Pros and Cons of Crossbows in Minecraft

Crossbows are similar to bows but deal slightly more damage (6–11 in Java Edition, fixed 9 in Bedrock), have better accuracy, and shoot farther. You gain extra damage, range, and precision at the cost of longer reload times.

Key drawback: Crossbows must be fully charged before firing (unlike bows' variable charge), and you move at sneak speed while loading, making you vulnerable.

Crossbows shine against hordes thanks to Multishot and fireworks for AOE blasts. Bows vs. Crossbows? Bows are faster for single targets; crossbows for crowds.

Crossbow Damage (Java Edition 1.21+)

• Minimum: 6 (3 hearts)
• Maximum: 11 (5.5 hearts)
• Maximum with Fireworks: 18 (9 hearts) – Caps at 7 Firework Stars (blast radius fixed at 4 blocks).
• Average: 9 (4.5 hearts)

Crossbow Damage (Bedrock Edition 1.21+)

Always: 9 (4.5 hearts)

Overall, crossbows dominate AOE scenarios but reload slower. Best enchantments focus on speed and durability.

2. How to Craft a Crossbow in Minecraft

Materials:

• 3 Sticks
• 1 Iron Ingot
• 2 Strings
• 1 Tripwire Hook

Crafting Recipe

1. Open Crafting Table.
2. Top row: Stick | Iron Ingot | Stick
3. Middle row: Stick | Tripwire Hook | String
4. Bottom middle: String
5. Take the crossbow.

Spawn Command

/give @p minecraft:crossbow{Enchantments:[{id:"minecraft:quick_charge",lvl:3}]} 1 for a Quick Charge III version.

Repairing Crossbows

Combine two in a Crafting Table, Anvil, or Grindstone. New durability = sum + 5% extra.

3. Best Crossbow Enchantments in Minecraft 1.21+

Rated from best to worst:

1. Quick Charge III

Reduces reload: Base 1.25s → QC3: 0.5s (faster than unenchanted bows). Get via anvil, villagers, or chests.

2. Multishot

Fires 3 arrows/rockets for 1 ammo cost (3 durability). Incompatible with Piercing. Great for AOE.

3. Piercing IV

Pierces 4 entities, ignores shields, retrievable arrows. Ideal for lines of mobs.

4. Mending

Repairs with XP orbs (2 durability per XP).

5. Unbreaking III

~4x durability on average.

6. Curse of Vanishing

Item vanishes on death. Avoid in survival; useful in competitive PvP.

Best Build (General PvE/PvP)

• Quick Charge III
• Multishot (or Piercing IV vs. lines)
• Unbreaking III
• Mending

4. Recreate Technoblade's Crossbow from Dream SMP

Technoblade was one of Minecraft's most legendary YouTubers, known for his skills and humor. In the Dream SMP war, his "Rocket Launcher" crossbow used:

• Multishot
• Quick Charge III
• Unbreaking III
• Mending

Ammo: Multi-colored fireworks for max AOE damage.

How to build Technoblade's crossbow.

5. Tips and Tricks for Bows and Crossbows in Minecraft 1.21+

Ranged weapons let you fight safely. Here are pro tips:

Crossbow Tips

• Tipped Arrows: Use Harming II, Poison, Slowness. Brew or trade for them (Bedrock: cauldron method).
• Preload Multiple: Store loaded crossbows in inventory or item frames—swap for instant shots (PvP killer).
• Fireworks: Max 7 stars for 18 damage AOE. Cheap gunpowder farms make them viable.
• Multishot Synergy: 3x explosions with fireworks—devastating crowds.

Bow Tips

• Medium Charge: 0.2–0.3s charge = 5 damage (faster DPS than full 9 damage/1s).
• Flame Enchant: Sets targets ablaze, ignites TNT/campfires, burns Endermen.
• Power V + Punch II: Max damage (up to 25+ crit) and knockback for spacing.
• Infinity + Mending: Unlimited arrows via mob drops.
• Critical Hits: Jump + full charge for 50% extra damage.

6. Recommended Mods for Bows and Crossbows (1.21+ Forge/Fabric)

Master your crossbow with these updates and dominate Minecraft 1.21+! For more guides, visit GuruGamer.com.